Multifunctional dispensing mechanism for fertilizer/seed spreader apparatus

Abstract

A hopper type agricultural and livestock spreader and fertilizer dispensing apparatus. The dispenser may be configured to be mounted to a ground transport vehicle, such as a tractor and three point hitch. An auxiliary outlet is configured in the hopper at an elevated position from a bottom end thereof. A flow regulator is operatively attached to regulate the outlet area of the auxiliary outlet to achieve a desired flow rate. The auxiliary outlet is dimensioned to permit the flow of large feed stocks. A dispenser flow tube may be operatively connected to the outlet to direct the flow of feed product in a desired spot. The flow tube may extend laterally from the side edges of the hopper to permit delivery of food product along the length of a livestock feed trough. A kit for modifying a hopper type fertilizer/feed dispenser.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A feed product dispenser, comprising:
 a hopper having at least one sidewall defining an interior chamber; 
 an outlet defined in the at least one sidewall, elevated from a bottom end of the hopper; and 
 a dispenser regulator attached to the hopper to selectively dispense the feed product via the outlet the dispenser regulator further comprising: 
 a regulator bracket attached to the hopper, the regulator bracket having opposed guide rails disposed on opposite sides of the outlet; 
 a regulator slide received within the guide rails; and 
 an operating mechanism, operable to selectively position the regulator slide between an open position and a closed position. 
 
     
     
       2. The feed product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the operating mechanism comprises:
 a regulator handle having an operating end, a free end, and a pivot hole defined in an intermediate portion of the regulator handle proximal to the operating end, the regulator handle attached to a hinge plate via a fastener permitting pivotal movement of the regulator handle about the fastener; and 
 a connecting rod coupled to the operating end of the regulator handle. 
 
     
     
       3. The feed product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the operating mechanism comprises:
 a hydraulic actuator to selectively position the regulator slide between the open position and the closed position. 
 
     
     
       4. The feed product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the operating mechanism comprises:
 an electrical solenoid to selectively position the regulator slide between the open position and the closed position. 
 
     
     
       5. The feed product dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge plate is attached to the at least one sidewall in an elevated position above the outlet. 
     
     
       6. The feed product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet is defined in an aft facing surface of the at least one sidewall. 
     
     
       7. The feed product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet is defined in a lateral side surface of the at least one sidewall. 
     
     
       8. The feed product dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flow tube operatively coupled to the dispenser regulator, the flow tube dimensioned to convey the feed product for dispensing in a close grouping. 
 
     
     
       9. The feed product dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein a flow tube is coupled to the dispenser regulator for one or more of a downward and a lateral dispensing of the feed product relative to a direction of travel of the feed product dispenser across a ground surface. 
     
     
       10. A feed product dispenser comprising:
 a hopper having at least one sidewall defining an interior chamber; 
 an outlet defined in the at least one sidewall, elevated from a bottom end of the hopper; 
 a dispenser regulator attached to the hopper to selectively dispense the feed product via the outlet; 
 an attachment ring coupled to the dispenser regulator; and 
 a flow tube coupled to the attachment ring, the flow tube dimensioned to convey the feed product for dispensing in a close grouping. 
 
     
     
       11. The feed product dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the flow tube is oriented for a downward dispensing of the feed product behind a direction of travel of the feed product dispenser across a ground surface. 
     
     
       12. The feed product dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the flow tube extends laterally from the feed product dispenser to dispense the feed product adjacent to a direction of travel of the feed product dispenser across a ground surface. 
     
     
       13. The feed product dispenser of  claim 10 , the dispenser regulator further comprising:
 a regulator bracket attached to the hopper, the regulator bracket having opposed guide rails disposed on opposite sides of the outlet; 
 a hydraulic actuator to selectively position a regulator slide, carried in the opposed guide rails, between an open position and a closed position. 
 
     
     
       14. The feed product dispenser of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an electrical solenoid to selectively position the dispenser regulator. 
 
     
     
       15. The feed product dispenser of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a hydraulic actuator to selectively position the dispenser regulator. 
 
     
     
       16. A method of adapting a hopper seeder to dispense a feed product, comprising:
 defining an outlet in a lateral sidewall of the hopper, the outlet defined at an elevated position from a bottom of the hopper; 
 attaching a regulator bracket to the hopper around the outlet hole; 
 inserting a regulator plate in a guide rail of the regulator bracket; and 
 attaching an operating mechanism to the regulator plate, the operating mechanism having a hinge plate attached to the lateral sidewall of the hopper, a regulator handle pivotally coupled to the hinge plate, and a connect rod interconnecting an operating end of the regulator handle and the regulator plate, the operating mechanism operable to selectively position the regulator plate to an open feed dispensing position. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an attaching a flow tube to the regulator bracket. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 directing the flow tube in a downward position behind the hopper. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 directing the flow tube to a lateral side of the hopper. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 filling the hopper with the feed product; and 
 selectively operating the operating mechanism to dispense the feed product.